by Cameo Renae
The Unicorn stepped back, an onyx eye on her. “Is Talia your mother?”
“Yes. I suppose you know her?”
The Unicorn gave a nod. “Talia was a dear friend of mine. She had one of the purest hearts in all of Misteria. I felt you were kin when I sensed your heart. It’s almost identical to hers—a rare quality.”
“I have to find my brother. He needs to help me save her, but I don’t know where he is or if he’s still alive.” Tears began to well in Anna’s eyes. She missed Will and hoped he was safe.
She tried making contact with him through telepathy ever since they left the Sprite dwelling, but there was never any reply.
Ashlyn transformed into her Pixie form and fluttered in front of Zohar. “The Seer said Anna and her brother are the two foretold in the prophecy. They are going to save Misteria.”
“That is an enormous task for someone who knows so little about this place or the powers they possess.” Zohar raised his head to Anna. “I’ve sensed your power since you stepped into the Mystic Forest.”
“You have?” Anna wiped away the tears from her cheeks. “I don’t feel like I have any power, and even if I did, I wouldn’t know how to use it.”
“Your power will come to you when you need it most.”
“I hope so. At the moment, I feel so weak and hopeless.”
“Each one of us has a role to play in the fate of Misteria,” Zohar added. “Some will fight, some will die, and some will live on to see whatever the future of this land holds. As for me, I will join your journey to find your brother.”
Anna gasped and looked into the Unicorn’s eyes. “Really?” She hopped off the rock and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much.”
“What did he say?” Ashlyn asked, landing on her shoulder.
“He’s going to help us find Will and the others.”
The two of them squealed with excitement, and Anna immediately felt a flicker of hope. She wasn’t alone. She had friends . . . magical friends . . . who would be traveling with her.
“In a few hours the sun will set and evil will roam the land. We must leave straightaway.”
“We must go to the Forest of Fates,” Ashlyn said. “That’s where they’ll be headed.”
Zohar nodded. “Why exactly are you seeking the Lady of the Crystal Lake?”
“A Seer told us she can help us find the Sorcerer named Rhyder. He’s the only one who hasn’t been captured and will supposedly help us unlock our gifts and teach us how to use them,” Anna answered.
A glimmer of light flickered in Zohar’s eyes. “Rhyder is a recluse and known to be very sly. He’s a shifter who takes the shape of either an old man or a silver Dragon.”
“Dragon?” Anna inhaled sharply. “Does he eat people?”
“No, but he can be very intimidating.” Zohar knelt on his front legs. “Come. Climb onto my back. Hopefully, we can find Rhyder before the dark warrior does.”
Delighted, yet apprehensive, Anna stepped next to Zohar’s side and took hold of his strong silvery mane before pulling herself up to his back, while Ashlyn stayed perched on her shoulder.
“Are you ready?” Anna asked her little friend.
“I am,” Ashlyn chimed. “Luck is on our side today.”
Zohar’s foot stomped loudly on the ground. “Hold on tight.”
Anna leaned forward, wrapping her arms around the Unicorn’s muscular neck. He reared, and leaped off the waterfall and into the river below, cantering as fast as the wind. Anna screamed, ducking her head as he entered the twisted woods. She expected the branches to scratch her, but they magically unwound, opening a path as the Unicorn rode through.
Anna raised her head and watched with breathless awe, her heart thumping with excitement. She was living a dream—creating a new story in this fairytale world. Sucking in a deep breath, Anna savored the moment.
With Zohar now as their guardian and companion, she could breathe a little easier. The dark and scary world around them suddenly didn’t seem so terrifying anymore. Not with a magical Unicorn as their guide.
Will and the others traveled swiftly through the woods and marshes, stopping only twice to rehydrate and snack. A few hours before sunset they finally reached a densely wooded forest. It was dark and ominous, the branches twisted and decrepit. The air held a stale, musty scent with sporadic scents of death.
“What is this place?” Will asked.
“Da Forest of Fates,” Tobin replied. “Through it lies da Crystal Lake, where da Lady of da Lake resides. She’s put a spell on da forest; a labyrinth of thick branches an’ thorns, meant ta keep da evil creatures out.”
“If she’s put a spell on it, how are we supposed to make it through?” Henry questioned.
Tobin faced him, patting his chest. “I’ll lead ya. Now stay close or ye’ll get lost.”
“Are you sure you can get us through that?” Will asked. The trees were so closely knit together, it appeared as if there was no path to make it through.
“Foller me,” Tobin answered matter-of-factly, turning and heading into the woods.
Will followed after him. “You’ve led us this far and saved my life. I trust you.”
Tobin twisted back and gave Will a smile.
Crawling under, climbing over, and pushing in between bramble and barbed branches was not an easy task. It was painful and exhausting. Each of them had lacerations on their exposed skin, some breaking skin and bleeding.
A cracking branch and rustling ahead of them made Tobin halt. He took a few steps back and began whimpering. “Any of ya care ta take da lead?”
Will grabbed hold of Tobin’s shoulders and steadied him forward. “No, you don’t. You’re the only one who knows the way through this mess. Besides, if anything comes, I’ll protect you.” Will lifted a dagger clasped tightly in his hand.
Tobin let out a loud breath then reached into his pocket and pulled out his magical rock, holding it in his palm.
“It’s not dark yet,” Will noted.
Tobin closed his fingers around the small stone. “Tis a good luck charm dat once was me mudders.”
“Hey, whatever works for him,” Henry said from behind. “Whatever keeps us moving forward toward a safer place is good.”
As the sun began its descent, Henry stopped before a large branch with long thorns. “Hey, Tobin, are you sure we’re making headway? I swear I’ve passed this branch at least ten times already, and it’s scratched me every single time.”
Tobin pushed ahead. “Tis an enchantment ta throw off unwanted guests. Makes dem think dey are walkin’ in circles. We’ll be dere soon.”
“I hope you’re right,” Will exhaled. “I don’t think my skin can take much more.”
“Yeah, I’ll bleed out before we make it,” Henry added, touching a scratch and sucking in a deep breath.
“Such a baby,” Will teased.
“Hey, it hurts,” Henry griped. “And we don’t have antibiotics here. What if I get an infection?”
Will sighed, just as Tobin stopped and pointed to a tree directly ahead of him.
“Dere it is! I’ve found da door.”
Will narrowed his eyes. “Umm, I don’t see a door. I see a tree that looks like every other tree around here.”
Henry sighed. “Tobin, are you hallucinating? If you need, I have some water.”
Tobin twisted his big head back to them with a wide grin. “Ya doubt me?” He then stepped toward the tree and disappeared.
“What the?” Will gasped.
“It’s one of those portals, isn’t it?” Henry asked.
“It appears that way,” Thaddeus remarked. “A doorway to the Crystal Lake.”
Will stepped forward. “Well, here goes nothing.”
He took another step toward the tree and when his foot landed, he was now standing on top of a green, grassy knoll. At the bottom, the fading light shimmered across a stunning turquoise lake. Bright green, manicured grass surrounded the lake, and the entire area was completely en
closed within lush and leafy trees. Nothing like the dead ones they’d traveled through earlier.
Tobin had already made it to the bottom of the knoll and had stepped onto a large, flat stone which jutted out over the water. He smiled at Will and motioned for him to come, but Henry suddenly appeared, and then Thaddeus popped up right behind him.
Thaddeus bumped into Henry, pushing him forward, then Henry fell into Will, knocking him over. All of them watched as Will tumbled all the way to the bottom of the knoll.
“It was his fault,” Henry piped, pointing at Thaddeus.
“Excuse me?” Thaddeus rebutted. “I believe you were the one who pushed him.”
Will groaned, standing to his feet, brushing grass from his hair and clothes.
“Come, child,” Tobin said, patting an area on the stone, embedded with ancient symbols. “Ya must stand here.”
“Man, those portals make me dizzy,” Henry piped, grabbing his satchel and sitting down at the top of the knoll. “And I’m hungry.”
Thaddeus took a seat on the grass next to him, crossing his hairy goat legs. “I’m a bit hungry too.”
“What do you eat?” Henry asked, his eyes shifting to Thaddeus’s hooves.
“I’m pretty sure we eat the same things.”
“Cool,” Henry said, pulling some nuts and dried meat from his satchel and offering some to the Satyr. “So where is this Lady of the Lake?”
“She must be summoned,” Thaddeus whispered. “So, it’s best we stay here and watch.”
Will made his way to Tobin and stood on the large, smooth rock, and as he did, Tobin extended his arms toward the lake. “Ya must summon her.”
“Me? How?”
“We’re standin’ on a callin’ stone, and only a Sorcerer can call upon da Lady of da Lake.”
Will shook his head. “But, I’m not a Sorcerer.”
“Ya are, child,” Tobin spoke. “Eason’s blood—da blood of da creator—flows through yer veins.”
“You can do it, Will,” Henry cheered with a mouth full of nuts. He made a fist and punched it toward the sky. “Work that calling stone like a boss!”
Will rolled his eyes then turned to Tobin. “What do I need to do?”
Tobin pointed to the carvings within the rock. Words that were written in a foreign language, indecipherable to Will. “Ya must speak da words on da stone.”
“I can’t read those,” Will huffed.
Sprawled out on the knoll, Henry let out a boisterous laugh. “You better watch your pronunciation, Will. You don’t wanna be calling any dark creatures from the Underworld.”
“Not now, Henry,” Will rumbled, already feeling stressed out.
“We must call da Lady soon,” Tobin spoke.
Will nodded, tracing his finger over the ancient carvings, wondering who’d written them. Wondered if his grandfather had ever stood in that very spot and called the Lady of the Lake himself.
“What do these symbols mean?” Will asked.
From up on the knoll, Thaddeus cleared his throat and spoke in a loud, regal voice. “Beautiful maiden inhabiting the lake, the time has come for you to wake.”
“That’s it?” Henry paused his chewing and glanced at Thaddeus with a furrowed brow. “You would think it would be a bit more . . . complicated.”
Thaddeus shrugged and popped a few more nuts in his mouth. “Why complicate it when no one but a Sorcerer can summon her?”
“I guess you have a point.”
“Tobin, is the Lady of the Lake a Sorceress too?” Will asked.
“No. She’s a Nymph wit’ great powers. She’s been around since da beginnin’.”
Will already doubted his powers, and now he had to prove that he was a Sorcerer. That was an insurmountable pressure, especially knowing his friends were watching. The entire journey, up until this point, was bordering on insanity, and this only added to it. Especially now, as he stood on a calling stone, about to summon a magical Nymph.
Will turned his attention to Tobin and breathed deeply. “You’ll have to help me.”
“Jest close yer eyes an’ stretch yer arms over da water. Den repeat after me.”
Before Will closed his eyes he turned to Henry for some positive affirmation.
Henry shot him a thumbs up and shouted, “If something happens to you, I promise to take care of Anna.”
That wasn’t the kind of affirmation Will was looking for. Henry never took anything seriously. So, Will pointed his finger at his friend and bellowed in a deep tone, “Silence, Middling!”
Thaddeus let out a bellowing laugh, while Henry coughed, nuts spraying from his mouth. “Hey, I’m not a Middling.”
“Yer half Middling,” Tobin informed.
Henry growled. “Gee, thanks for reminding me, Tobin.”
“Okay, if I’m going to summon this Nymph, I’ll need complete silence,” Will stated, taking a step closer to the water.
“Fine. I’m zipping and throwing away the key,” Henry said, running his fingers across his lips.
“What may I ask are you doing?” Thaddeus looked at Henry like he was mad.
“It’s a human thing. It means I’ll keep quiet.”
“I can still hear you,” Will piped.
There was silence as Tobin began to speak the words on the stone, pronouncing each word carefully. “Decora incolentes fretum venit hora ut excitetur.”
Will repeated them precisely, with deep concentration. As soon as he spoke the last word, a surge of electricity tingled through his body, heating his palms. When he opened his eyes, he witnessed an incredible phenomenon.
Sapphire rays shot from the palms of his hands, directly into the lake, making the water froth and churn. A thick mist began to rise, silently skimming over the surface.
“Something’s coming,” Henry shouted, his finger aimed at the disturbance in the water.
The water swirled and bubbled until something began to rise from its center.
“Tis her,” Tobin breathed.
A figure lifted from the center of the lake. It was a woman, but her clothes and hair were completely dry. She appeared human but had pointed ears like the elves. When she fully emerged, her body moved forward, gently gliding across the top of the water. Her head was bowed forward allowing her long, silvery hair to mask her features. She wore a long silvery gown which dragged behind her, causing ripples across the lake.
She stopped a few feet from the stone and raised her head, her eyes the same turquoise as the water.
“Who summoned me?” she spoke, her voice soft and sweet.
“I did,” Will replied with a tip of his head. The sight of the Nymph was overwhelming. Her presence proved that he was worthy of summoning her. That he was, in fact, a Sorcerer.
Tobin stood and bowed deeply at his waist. “Beautiful maiden, we’ve been sent by Lady Lavinia of da Hallowed Wood. We’ve come ta ask fer yer help.”
The Nymph gave Tobin a smile. “Welcome to my home.” Then, her turquoise eyes met Will’s. “I’ve been awaiting your arrival, William. My name is Oriana.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Oriana,” he said.
She then turned her attention to Tobin. “It is very nice to see you again, old friend.”
“Tis always a pleasure, m’lady.” Tobin bowed again. When he rose, his brow crumpled. “M’lady, why do ya hide yer face?”
Oriana paused for a moment, her eyes sad and distant. “He was here.”
“Who?” Will asked.
“The dark warrior, only a short while ago. One of the elders was with him, brought here to summon me.”
Fear singed through Will at the mention of the dark warrior. “What did he want?” Even though he’d never seen this warrior, he knew he was responsible for destroying Misteria and capturing his mother and grandfather.
Oriana turned her head toward the west, her eyes became distant. “They wanted the location of Rhyder.”
Tobin shuddered at her words, his hands twisted nervously around themselves. “Did
ya tell him, milady?”
Oriana nodded, a single tear trickled down her cheek. “He was going to kill me.” She lowered her hand from her cheek, revealing burned and blistered flesh. “Look what he’s done to me,” she cried. “He’s taken my beauty.”
“Oh my God,” Henry exhaled, now standing on the knoll.
Tobin took a step toward her, shaking his head. “Nothin’ could steal yer beauty, Oriana.”
“Does it hurt?” Will asked, hoping not to seem rude.
She shook her head while another tear dripped down her face. “No. But I will bear these scars for the rest of my days.”
“Dere has ta be magic dat can heal ya,” Tobin said.
“Hey, are we safe here?” Henry asked, pacing back and forth, worry embedded on his brow.
“They will not return,” Oriana replied. “They took what they wanted and left. They are on their way to Rhyder.” The Nymph’s eyes roamed the group and paused on Will. “There should be another. Where is your sister, William?”
Will paused, swallowing the enormous lump in his throat. “She—” His words failed. The thought and memory of his sister being pulled under the water crushed him.
Oriana’s eyes closed, and when they reopened, she whispered, “She was taken by the river.”
“How do you know?” Will asked.
“I can see the past, and at times, glimpses of the future. Do not fear, William. Your sister is still alive.”
Will’s eyes widened, his heart racing and stomach twisting. “She’s alive? Are you sure?” Oriana smiled and gave him a nod. “Where is she?”
“She is searching for you as we speak.”
Will exhaled in relief. Hearing his sister was still alive lifted a burden that weighed heavily on his shoulders, a burden he bore the moment she was taken by the river.
“Your heart has been filled with much despair.” Oriana spoke as if she could read Will’s emotions.
His sapphire eyes met hers. “Ever since we stepped into Misteria, bad things have been happening and I don’t know if my sister and I are the right ones to stop it. We just arrived here. We don’t know anything about this place or our gifts.”